CHAPTER 104: CH 104: BACK TO WORK - PART 1

The doctor and Irielle moved toward the adjoining chamber to ready the necessary remedies, the room grew quieter.

Kana looked down at Lysera, who still clung to her like a child refusing to release a treasured toy.

Her lashes fluttered, lips parting slightly as if she wanted to speak, but only a faint murmur came out—something soft, indecipherable, and achingly vulnerable.

Kana’s chest tightened. She brushed a damp strand of hair from Lysera’s face, her fingers trembling.

"It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere."

She whispered, her embarrassment fading under the weight of Lysera’s fragile state.

Lysera’s hold loosened slightly, enough for Kana to breathe more freely, though she still refused to let go completely.

Kana let out a shaky exhale, her cheeks still warm but her heart heavier now with concern than mortification.

The sound of clinking glass and rushing footsteps came faintly from the next room, but for this moment, it was just the two of them.

Kana sat still, letting Lysera rest against her, silently promising herself that she would endure any discomfort if it meant keeping her safe.

When Irielle returned moments later with the first set of remedies, she stopped in the doorway again.

This time, she said nothing—only watched the quiet picture before her: Lysera, vulnerable and clinging, and Kana, flushed but steady, holding on despite herself.

For once, Irielle did not tease or scold. She only handed Kana a bowl of prepared water and cloths, her eyes flickering with something unreadable.

Kana took it, nodded once, and turned back to Lysera with unshakable focus.

The embarrassment lingered, yes—but so did the quiet realization that Lysera, even in her fevered haze, had chosen to cling to her.

And no matter what it meant, Kana would not betray that fragile trust.

Kana lost track of how many times she wrung out the damp cloth in her hands.

Every time she thought Lysera’s fever had lessened, the heat radiating from her skin said otherwise.

She pressed the cloth gently against Lysera’s forehead, her lips set in a thin, determined line.

The doctor had left after giving her a satchel of carefully measured herbs, instructions for cooling compresses, and a stern reminder.

"You must also take care of yourself, young lady. Tending to a patient requires stamina. If you collapse, who will watch over her?"

He’d said, his voice heavy with experience.

Kana had nodded earnestly, promising.

"I won’t overdo things. I’ll be fine."

But once she began, she couldn’t stop. Hours blurred into each other as she sat by Lysera’s bedside, checking her breathing, replacing cloths, brewing the bitter-smelling medicine.

She didn’t even notice her own hands trembling from fatigue or her stomach’s quiet protests.

It was Irielle who noticed first. She came in, arms crossed, her sharp eyes narrowing at the untouched tray she had set earlier by Kana’s side.

"You haven’t eaten a single bite."

"I will. Later."

Kana murmured without looking up, adjusting the blanket more securely over Lysera’s shoulders.

"Later? At this rate, you’ll be the next one lying here with a fever."

Irielle’s voice sharpened.

"I’m fine."

Kana insisted, though her voice carried the faint rasp of exhaustion.

Irielle sighed, exasperated.

"Fine, my foot."

In one swift motion, she grabbed Kana by the wrist and tugged her away from the bed.

"H-Hey! I can’t—Lysera needs me!"

Kana struggled weakly, but her strength had already waned.

"She needs someone healthy to look after her. If you collapse, that helps no one."

Irielle shot back, steering her toward the smaller bed prepared in the adjoining room.

"I’m not tired..."

Kana protested, though her voice faltered even as Irielle pushed her down onto the mattress. The moment her head touched the pillow, her body betrayed her.

Her eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and within seconds, she was out cold.

Irielle stood over her for a moment, shaking her head with a long sigh.

"Honestly. How does she expect to care for anyone if she can’t even care for herself?"

She muttered under her breath, half irritated, half begrudgingly concerned.

Returning to Lysera’s side, she set down the fresh medicine and frowned.

Kana had worn herself thin to this point, all for someone who, in Irielle’s opinion, had been foolish enough to collapse in the first place.

"If Kana gets sick, it’ll be all your fault."

She muttered, glaring at the unconscious Lysera.

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, slowly, Lysera stirred. Her lashes fluttered, and with visible effort, she cracked open her eyes. Her voice was hoarse but clear.

"That’s... not what I wanted."

Irielle stiffened, caught off guard.

Lysera’s lips curved faintly, a weak smile on her fever-worn face.

"Still... thank you. For forcing Kana to rest."

The compliment hit harder than Irielle expected. She quickly looked away, her cheeks warming.

"Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t do this for you. I did it for her... and myself. Watching her run herself ragged is insufferable."

She said briskly.

Lysera’s breath hitched as she tried to laugh but ended in a cough. Irielle leaned in, frowning, but continued anyway.

"Besides, if you’re going to foolishly let yourself get sick like this again... it’d be better if I stole her away forever."

At that, Lysera’s fingers clenched faintly in the sheets. Her gaze sharpened despite her weakness.

"You’re crossing the line."

"Then get better."

Irielle’s voice dropped, quiet but firm.

"Get better, and then complain all you like. Until then, you don’t have the right."

Lysera’s breathing steadied, but the tension between them hung heavy.

As Irielle turned, intent on checking on Kana again, she felt a weak tug on her sleeve. She looked back to see Lysera, barely upright, struggling to keep her hand from slipping away.

"Don’t..."

Lysera’s voice was faint, but her intent was clear.

Irielle’s lips parted in disbelief.

"You’re really asking me to stay? In this state?"

Lysera’s grip trembled, threatening to falter any second. Irielle had half a mind to pry herself free and walk away, but she hesitated.

Her eyes flickered toward the room where Kana slept peacefully for the first time in days. Kana wouldn’t forgive her if she left Lysera like this.

Clicking her tongue in irritation, Irielle sat back down at Lysera’s bedside, crossing her arms.

"You’re lucky. If it weren’t for Kana, I’d have left you to stew in your fever."

Lysera’s lips curved into the faintest smile before her strength gave way again, her hand slipping back onto the sheets.

Irielle watched her for a long moment, her jaw tightening.

"Honestly... you’re both impossible."

And so, despite herself, she stayed.